The 31st HKTDC Hong Kong Book Fair, organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, will run July 14-20 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. This year’s event has received an enthusiastic response from participating organizations, with more than 700 exhibitors expected to deliver a wide selection of cultural activities and leisure experiences over the week of the fair, which runs together with the HKTDC Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo and the debut World of Snacks.
During the fair period and the citywide Cultural July campaign, more than 600 online and offline cultural events will be organized, including thematic exhibitions at the art gallery at the HKCEC and seminars hosted by acclaimed writers, bringing the joy of reading to the whole city.
The theme of this year’s book fair is Inspirational and Motivational Reading, with the tagline “Reading the World: Inspiring the Mind and Refreshing the Soul.” Benjamin Chau (pictured left), HKTDC deputy executive director, says, “The Hong Kong Book Fair Cultural Events Advisory Panel has picked this meaningful theme, with the hope that the fair can encourage readers to seek out motivational books that can inspire a more positive lifestyle. Running in tandem with the book fair, the Sports and Leisure Expo and World of Snacks will showcase diverse lifestyle experiences and snacks from across the globe. Together, these three events can help people declutter their minds and live more rewarding and fulfilling lives.”
Aligning with this year’s Book Fair theme, the HKTDC will showcase a thematic exhibition, titled Words to Warm the Heart, at the art gallery outside Hall 3. The exhibition will introduce a number of inspirational authors and some of their selected works, including (in no particular order) A Nong, Cheng Kok-kong, Lee Chack-fan, Philemon Choi, Wu Yin-ching, Shirley Loo, Agnes Chan, Joseph Sung, Su Hei and Rap Chan. Precious memorabilia from the authors will be on display, including manuscripts, calligraphy artworks and souvenirs, helping readers to appreciate the writers’ creative journeys from different perspectives.
The art gallery will also feature a number of other exhibitions. Cherished Memories of the Children’s Paradise will display rare copies and illustrations from different eras of the popular kids’ magazine Children’s Paradise. The Dragon Never Dies – Bruce Lee @80, organized with the support of the Bruce Lee Club, brings together Bruce Lee memorabilia from collectors, providing visitors with the opportunity to revisit some of the legendary kung fu star’s iconic moments.
Another exhibition, Hong Kong Palace Museum, will introduce the innovative approaches taken to showcase precious exhibits from the Palace Museum and other renowned institutions.
The “Eight Seminar Series” returns to the Book Fair in 2021, continuing to promote the joy of reading by exposing readers to authors and works from a diverse range of literary genres. The Renowned Writers Seminar Series, co-organized with Mingpao and Yazhou Zhoukan, makes a welcome return, while other featured series include Theme of the Year: “Inspiring the Mind and Refreshing the Soul,” the English and International Reading Series, World of Knowledge, Children and Youth Reading, Spiritual Growth and Personal Development, Lifestyle and the Hong Kong Cultural and Historical Seminar Series. For more info, visit hkbookfair.hktdc.com/en/Events/Event-Schedule.html.
